Letters to the editor: 9/26

A 'caring' man does not make a good leader

I must say I'm weary of people telling me they support President Barack Obama because "he cares" and point to a surreptitiously obtained and edited video as proof that Mitt Romney doesn't. The press has obsessed over this for two weeks while our embassies burn. Say what you will about Romney, but he's led a life of morality, benevolence and generosity to those less fortunate, without a hint of scandal. Check his tax returns for charitable donations.

I can't think of anyone who would "care" more than Mother Theresa, but that doesn't mean she would have been a good leader or president, and that's what we need most. It strikes me that by saying "he cares," that somehow mitigates all the fiscal and foreign policy failures.

The daily financial news is dreadful, and Obama has so demonized his opposition and divided this country with class warfare that even if he wins 51-49, we're going to be in a perpetual state of gridlock and malaise.

I wished he cared enough to extend an olive branch to Republicans the way Bill Clinton did, or didn't jam Obamacare down our throats, or met with his own party congressional leaders more than once in the last year to discuss legislation. He might care, but not enough to hammer out bipartisan solutions. Dirty Harry had it right ... he's not doing the job ... it's OK to let him go!

Mark Burkhart

Wingdale

Country shows strength when it supports citizens

I am one of the 47 percent.

I have not paid income taxes since 2009, when I was unexpectedly laid off by a company feeling the effects of the economy. I managed to (just) make ends meet with unemployment checks until I found a full-time job about six months later (taking part-time work in the interim, but nothing sufficient to pay rent).

Not only did I lose a job, but also health insurance coverage. I was able to maintain it temporarily under COBRA (thanks to a subsidy provided by the stimulus), but eventually it became too costly to continue. I am grateful that under the health care bill, I cannot be discriminated against for any lapse in coverage or pre-existing conditions once I regain health insurance - which should be in the coming weeks.

In 2010, I went back to school and graduated this spring. I received a tax credit through the stimulus bill, allowing me to make some payments on my loans before graduation - for which the rates have thankfully not doubled.

I am not voting for President Obama because I directly benefited from the stimulus or health-care reform or student loan legislation. I am voting for him because I believe that this is a country that shows its strength by supporting its citizens through its toughest times. This year, I will probably begin paying income taxes again. In fact, I sincerely hope that I do, and I can thank Barack Obama and the Democrats for that.

Kevin Wadzuk

Poughkeepsie

Choice of lesser of two evils is no choice at all

Two letters appeared in your paper recently. One by a Mr. Fandl, "Choice should be easy this election season," (Sept. 13) and the other by a Mr. Eaton, "GOP ticket no friend of middle class, seniors," (Sept. 13). Two different points of view on the presidential candidates. I don't agree or disagree with either but they actually suggest the need for my point of view - the need for a third major party in this country.

We are in desperate need of a party that holds to the middle ground. A party willing to compromise for the good of all. We need for the electorate to have a choice. Today, we don't! It's choosing the lesser of the two evils; and that's no choice at all. Life is evolving every day; maybe it's time for our government to evolve a bit also. There is no difference between the Democrats and Republicans. Government is run the same way with either party in power. And over the last 30 years or so, with the amount of big money thrown at our politicians, it has gotten only worse.

Ken Ptasnick

Wingdale

Obama's presidency did not raise our gas prices

A recent letter to the editor repeated the fiction that gasoline prices have vastly increased due to Obama's presidency, "Obama policies put gas prices sky-high," (Sept. 16). On the contrary, as George W. Bush was leaving office in 2008, local gas prices had averaged just under $4 per gallon for the usual 87 percent octane, 10 percent ethanol mix for more than six months. After Obama's election, gas prices dropped to under $2 per gallon and then slowly rose to $2.50 by summer 2009. The price gradually returned to the Bush-era level of $4.

I'm sure there are other real issues to discuss without creating smoke.

Dick Coller

Town of Clinton

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Letters to the editor: 9/26

I must say I'm weary of people telling me they support President Barack Obama because 'he cares' and point to a surreptitiously obtained and edited video as proof that Mitt Romney doesn't.